A study suggests the answer is yes. It found married women drink more than single or divorced women — and married men drink less than their single, divorced or widowed counterparts.

The research, led by University of Cincinnati associate sociology professor Corrine Reczek, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association on Aug. 19 in Denver.

Using data compiled from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study which tracked more than 10,000 men and women over six decades — about half of whom provided information on their alcohol use — the study found:

• men overall consumed more alcohol than women

• married men reported drinking less alcohol than single, divorced and widowed men, in part due to their spouses’ drinking habits.

• married women drank slightly more than divorced or widowed women, mainly because of their spouse’s drinking habits.

• women who were divorced or widowed drank “significantly” less than married women.

• recently divorced men drank “significantly” more than men in long-term marriages.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.